University Engagement & Talent Programs Manager

Launch Tennessee; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

PTO

Cell phone stipend

Dog-friendly office

Job summary

Launch Tennessee is seeking a collaborative, data-driven University Engagement & Talent Programs Manager to connect campuses with Tennessee startups. You will lead the Summer Intern Program, grow university partnerships statewide, and support TTAC initiatives.

A strong program manager with relationship-building skills will help strengthen the campus-to-startup pipeline and the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Tennessee.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years in related field.
• End-to-end program management including budgets, timelines, reporting.
• Experience with universities (career services, tech transfer, entrepreneurship).
• Data-driven metrics; build/maintain frameworks and report results.
• Strong written and verbal communication; external-facing materials a plus.
• Willingness to travel within Tennessee for campus visits and events.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, execution, and oversight of the LaunchTN Summer Intern Program.
• Manage program budget, activities and employer engagement.
• Evaluate program effectiveness using national internship benchmarks.
• Oversee LaunchTN Job Board and related reporting.
• Collaborate on funding opportunities with Development team.
• Support TTAC programs and campus roundtables.
• Represent LaunchTN at academic and ecosystem events.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration within LaunchTN.

Skills

Program management

Higher education

Data analytics

Communication skills

Travel willing

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Launch Tennessee is hiring: University Engagement & Talent Programs Manager

• August 18, 2026

• Blog, Careers

Position: University Engagement & Talent Programs Manager

Location: Nashville, TN

Reports to: VP of Commercialization & Director, TTAC

Direct reports: None at present

Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN) is a 501c3 nonprofit partnership building an ecosystem of support for every startup and investor in Tennessee. As a public-private partnership, we are uniquely positioned to provide direct investment, while also supporting collaboration among founders, investors, researchers, private sector institutions, and government. We foster entrepreneurship, technology advancement, and workforce development by providing capital access, commercialization support, and connections.

Our Core Values:

• Go further through collaboration.
• Be driven to serve.
• Be accessible and inclusive always.
• Put people first in everything we do.
• Life is too short not to love what you do.
• We make it happen.

Position Overview:

Launch Tennessee seeks a collaborative, detail-oriented, and data-driven University Engagement & Talent Programs Manager. This role sits at the intersection of talent development and university engagement, with responsibility across three areas: (1) leading strategy, execution, and oversight of the LaunchTN Summer Intern Program and related talent initiatives; (2) developing and deepening university partnerships that expand LaunchTN’s statewide reach; and (3) supporting the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), a statewide network connecting research institutions to commercialization resources. The role requires a strong program manager and relationship builder who helps foster Tennessee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and strengthen the pipeline from campus to startup.

Key Responsibilities:

Summer Intern Program Strategy & Oversight

• Lead strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of the LaunchTN Summer Intern Program, aligning with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.

• Manage program activities and budget, making strategic choices on where to allocate resources across recruitment, placement, programming, and employer engagement.

• Continuously evaluate program effectiveness and impact using benchmarks against national internship program models; make data-driven recommendations for improvements and ensure effective deployment of programmatic investments.

• Manage the LaunchTN Job Board, evaluating its success in connecting talent to hiring opportunities at Tennessee startups and recommending enhancements.

• Collaborate with the Development team on funding opportunities aligned with talent program expansion beyond the Summer Intern Program, including associated reporting requirements.

• Manage data collection of necessary program metrics, to be shared regularly with the Finance & Administration and Development teams

University Engagement

• Work with the TTAC Director to build and maintain relationships with faculty, technology transfer offices, and campus entrepreneurship stakeholders across the state.

• Manage the Campus Roundtable group, including logistics and coordination of campus convenings and roundtables engaging academic innovation and entrepreneurship stakeholders.

• Support partnership development efforts that enhance collaboration between institutions, industry partners, and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Represent LaunchTN at select academic and ecosystem events, particularly those focused on student engagement, as assigned.

TTAC Program Support

• Support administration of TTAC programs, including the Partnership Program, Innovation Fellowship, and related grant initiatives, under the direction of the TTAC Director.

• Assist and support with planning and execution of TTAC-hosted convenings, including summits, workshops, and campus roundtables.

• Assist with proposal development, grant writing, reporting, and metrics tracking in collaboration with LaunchTN team members.

Organizational Culture

• Be an engaged member of Launch Tennessee’s team.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Promote a positive work environment where all perspectives are valued and respected.

• Champion cross-functional collaboration within LaunchTN, ensuring seamless integration of program efforts with other departments.

About You / Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; 3–5 years of experience in program management, higher education, economic development, workforce development, or a related field.

• Demonstrated ability to manage programs end-to-end, including budgets, timelines, stakeholder communications, and reporting.

• Experience working with or within universities (career services, tech transfer, entrepreneurship centers, or faculty engagement) strongly preferred.

• Proficient with data: able to build and maintain metrics frameworks, analyze program outcomes, and communicate results to varied audiences.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience drafting external-facing materials a plus.

• Willingness to travel within Tennessee for campus visits, convenings, and ecosystem events.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are generally Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. LaunchTN values work-life balance. Evening and weekend work may be required as a part of occasional organization-wide events. LaunchTN is willing to offer location flexibility, but location in Tennessee is required, with Nashville-based preferred.

Benefits & Perks

• Healthcare: LaunchTN pays 80% of individual/partner/family health, dental, and vision insurance. Plans are offered through the State of Tennessee.

• 401(K) Retirement: LaunchTN offers a safe harbor nonelective contribution of 8%

• Disability Insurance: LaunchTN covers 100% short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance: LaunchTN covers 100% of basic life and AD&D insurance

• Paid Time Off: 4 weeks PTO + federal holiday schedule + office closed Christmas Eve through New Year + day off for your birthday

• Other items: $90/month cell phone stipend

• Dog-friendly office